Process for finishing the edges of flexible material



L. J. VAN GUELPEN.

PROCESS FOR FINISHING THE EDGES 0F FLEXIBLE MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I9. 1920.

1,377,643. Pate med May 10, 1921.

F1 G. I.

INVEN TOR ATTORNEY.

LOUIS J'. VAN GUIELPEN, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PROCESS FOR FINISHING THE EEG-ES 0F .FLEXIBIIE MATERIAL.

Specificationcf Letters Patent. v Patented 11 31 10, 1921.

Application filed March 19, 1920. Serial in). 367,110.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS J. VAN Gunil- PEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Cincinnati, in the countyof Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes for Finishing the Edges of F lexi ble Material, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to' provide steps, forming a process, for finishing the edges of flexible material, especially leather, such as patent leather. and the like, without folding over and cementing the edge or skiving said edge and then curling the same.

By using my process, a solid round beadlike edge is formed on the edge of the ma terial; it is not folded, curled or twisted, by which means, the leather is transformed from its natural state and rendered artificial; but by using my process it is maintained in an original active state, at the edge treated, the same as the body of the leather. An edge formed after my process will not crack, scale or break, but remain flexible and pliable.

' y process consists essentially in the following steps, towit:

First. I take the raw edge of the leather or other material and apply a stain or oil thereto so that said edge will be thoroughly permeated therewith, enabling said edge to be dressed similarly to the finished side of the body of the leather, and after the edge has been thus treated, I let it dry. The stain or oil usually used is the same as is now used in coloring or applying oil to parts of shoes, and known as heel veneer and patent leather repair.

Second. I then mold the dried edge which contains the element with which it has been treated, to any solid shape, preferably round.

Thirdly. I then burnish this molded edge, giving it a high color andluster.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a piece of leather formed of the body 1, and having a raw edge 2,

Fig. 2 is the same piece of leather, having the body 1, and the treated edge 3,

Fig. 3 is the same piece of leather, having the body 1, and the solid round edge 4, and

Fig. 4 is the same piece of leather, having the body 1, and the burnished edge 5, all these views being shown in section.

l/Vhile I may apply my process to finishing the edge of any flexible material or article of manufacture, in describing my process, I will refer to a vamp made of thin patent leather.

I take the vamp having a raw edge, marked 2 in the drawing, and apply a stain or oil thereon until it permeates the leather edge as shown at 3 in the drawing, and then preferably allow said edge to dry; then I apply any mechanism to said edge which will mold, form or press said edge 3 into the form shown in Fig. 3, at 4; preferably using such mechanism as will knock or lay down the small hairs, fuzz, strands and the like, so that said edge 4, will be smooth, even and uniform; then I subject this edge 4 to any burnishing tool or element, and in this way finish the edge with a high finish and luster, giving it the same color, (if preferred), as the body of the leather itself,'or any other color or luster; giving the edge a hard but flexible finish, which can readily be sewed to any part of theshoe.

By reason of my applying stain or oil to the edge 3, in the first instance, and then molding the same, I condense the edge into a solid mass, which holds the stain or oil which has been applied thereto, and thus, when I burnish the edge 4, its color and luster will be solid, dense and typical in representing the finish described.

I may state here that by reason of permeating the edge of the thin flexible material, as heretofore set forth, the edge is stiffened and hardened, which enables me to bgtter use the necessary tools to finish said e ge.

By using my process I provide a superior edge on thin flexible. leather and other materials, which enables the manufacturer to produce shoe parts which possess great utility in this particular class.

While I prefer to use the permeating material above mentioned, I may use any which will help stiffen and harden the edge, and which will facilitate finishing said edge.

An edge made after my process, will enhance the appearance of the shoe, and will wear better and will not easily be affected by the elements.

What I claim as new and my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A process for finishing the edges of very thin flexible material, consisting of the, following steps: first, permeating the edge with a stiffening material, second, forming the permeated edge into a desired form by molding'the same into a condensed mass, and third, subjecting said edge to a burnishing operation.

2. A process for finishing the edges of Very thin flexible material, Consisting of the 10 following steps: first, permeating the raw edge with an oily stain, and drying the same, second, forming the permeated edge into a desired form by molding the same into a condensed mass, and third, subjecting said edge to a burnishing operation.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature at Cincinnati, Ohio, this 12th day of March, 1920.

LOUIS J. VAN GUELPEN. 

